Former President, Ian Khama, has joined the masses who criticised the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Review of the constitution of Botswana (Dibotelo Commission) recommendations and called it a waste of time and resources which is targeting him.
In an interview with this publication, Khama said that the whole exercise has turned out to be a farce and heavily manipulated by President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his regime.
“Issues raised at kgotla meetings have been conveniently ignored as they do not suit the current Cava crop. This exercise was a waste of time and resources in order to give the impression there has been consultation, only to come up with this scam.”
He said that it’s a pity that commissioners allowed themselves to be used for selfish interests. “It is common cause that my family and I have been targeted. Everyone can see that. Batswana are not so naive as to be unable to see through such deception.”
He said that by changing Sir Seretse Khama Day is yet another attempt to erase history and a legacy cherished and respected by the nation. “This is blind jealousy,” Khama said, noting that ‘Heroes day’ is a term or concept stolen from others and trying to mimic the ideas of other people is all Masisi has to offer the country other than almost five years of an avalanche of wasteful foreign trips. “Have a heroes day on another day if they want one,” he advised.
Khama said that similarly having a presidential graveyard is just as ridiculous. “There is no way I would want to be buried in the same graveyard with a Judas Iscariot. It would contradict the expression of Rest In Peace for me to be in the same place.”
He said that if Masisi has realized that his remains would not be welcome if buried where he comes from, he should come up with another idea without trying to make his final resting place appear honourable by having others there. “It won’t happen anyway and certainly not with any of his predecessors. That train has already left the station.”
Khama also criticised the recommendation of not allowing a President who served two terms as President into active politics. “It is a joke to say a president who has served 10 years cannot return to active politics. What is the justification, and Why 10 years, why not five. Does it matter? If it is to be, let it apply as long as you have been president. But because Masisi knows he will not be president for ten years he is leaving the door open for himself to continue to be active,” he said.
He said that whichever way, he will remain active in politics for as long as he feels it necessary for him me to do so. “I am a citizen and have the same rights to engage in any activities others are able to. Why the discrimination, the threat to withdraw benefits won’t deter me. In fact the one benefit I would welcome they take away, even now, is the provision of DIS Security who with some individuals assigned to me, like Geoffrey Moathodi from Lerala, are a bigger threat to my life than protecting it,” he added.
